Birthdays and Anniversaries

Upcoming Events

Staff Party 26/08

Training & Development

Train the Trainer 13/08 till 17/08

Housekeeping Skills 29/08 till 04/09

Leadership Skills 12/09 till 16/09

HACCP 28/09 till 04/10

F&B Skills 20/10 till 26/10

AUGUST 2013

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SEPTEMBER 2013

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Newborn

Congratulations to our

colleagues who got

newborn

Ahmed Farid from Accounting

Mahmoud Zahran from Cost Control

Abdel Fatah A.Khalek from Kitchen

Emad Hamdy From HR

Wedding

Ahmed Samy 01-Aug Cost Control

Mohamed Youssef 01-Aug Front Office

Ahmed Zohdy 01-Aug F&B Service

Mahmoud Mohamed 01-Aug House Keeping

Magdy A.Aazim 01-Aug Cashier

Sherif A.hamid 03-Aug Laundry

Islam Mohamed 04-Aug Maintenance

Ahmed Farag 09-Aug Kitchen

Mohamed Adel 12-Aug House Keeping

Sayed A.Ela 13-Aug Laundry

Mohamed Ahmed 13-Aug Laundry

Mohamed Ali 15-Aug Laundry

Essam A.Maksoud 15-Aug Accounting

Mohamed Mahmoud 15-Aug Stewarding

Ahmed Abdo 15-Aug Kitchen

Ahmed Osama 17-Aug Kitchen

Mahmoud A.Fatah 17-Aug Kitchen

Emad Mohamed 18-Aug Recreation

Mohamed Ibrahim 18-Aug Laundry

Yasser E.Sayed 20-Aug Kitchen

Ahmed Sharaf 21-Aug F&B Service

Mahmoud Mohamed 22-Aug Front Office

Mahfouz Werdany 23-Aug F&B Service

Mohamed Farghal 23-Aug Kitchen

Adel A.Qader 28-Aug F&B Service

Waleed Saied 29-Aug House Keeping

Ahmed Samir 29-Aug F&B Service

Hesham Mohamed 31-Aug Human Resources

Of all the Islamic countries, the Ramadan Lantern (fanoos) is the most

common in Egypt, as part of the culture, a tradition that probably goes

back to the Fatimid reign.

Children, who grew up in the past century, before electricity was avail-

able, loved the fanoos since it was a way to have their own, colorful

light. They would go out in the streets after they break their fast (if they

fast) at sunset. The streets would be dark since there was no electricity

and the only light would be coming from their fanoos. They would get

together and sing songs ("wahawy ya wahawy") and play games or visit

an elder who tells them a story.

In the past, the fanoos was made of copper and brass with a candle

inside. Now the traditional fanoos is made of recycled tin and colored

glass. Most modern ones are made of plastic, are battery operated, and come in various shapes

and sizes.

There are many stories about the origin of the fanoos. One story has it that the night before

Ramadan, the Fatimid Caliph would go outside to look for the moon signaling the beginning of

the month of Ramadan. The children of the town would go out with the Caliph and light the way

for him. Each child would carry a fanoos and sing songs to welcome the new month of Rama-

dan. Another story is that the Fatimid Caliph Al Hakim Bi-Amr Illah wanted to light the streets of

Cairo during Ramadan nights, so he ordered all the sheikhs of mosques to hang lanterns that

could be lit by candles. A third story is that during the same reign, women were not allowed to

leave their homes except during the month of Ramadan, but they had to be preceded by a little

boy carrying a lantern to announce the arrival of a woman in the vicinity and caution the men in

the streets to move away. This way, the women could enjoy their outings while still remaining

invisible to men. Eventually, as the story continues, when the laws became lenient and women

were allowed to go out as they wished, people liked the fanoos so much that they had children

carry them in the streets every Ramadan. Yet another story states that the lantern was originally a

Coptic Christian tradition celebrated during Christmas time, when the people used to celebrate

with colorful candles. This story explains that, as many Christians converted to Islam, they took this

tradition with them in the form of lanterns made of tin and lit with candles.

Regardless of the story, the fanoos remains a very unique symbol of Ramadan, especially in

Egypt. It has passed from generation to generation, and is today associated with children playing

out in the streets in Ramadan, singing and swinging their lanterns. During the few days before

Ramadan, children become excited and look forward to having their fanoos. Additionally, more

people today have started hanging big colorful lanterns in the streets, outside their houses and

apartment buildings, and even in trees.

Story of the Ramadan Lantern (Fanoos)

Famous

Ramadan

Song “Wahawy ya

wahawy/

Eyaha/We

kaman wa-

hawy/Eyaha”

These are the introductory lyrics of our

most popular Ramadan jingle. We all

have been singing them since we were 3

years old. But, as in English, “wahawy”

and “eyaha” seem to mean little in

Arabic, at least until one knows the story

behind the song.

It is said that Photonic Egyptians first sang

“Wahawy ya wahawy/Eyaha” when

they visited Eyaha, the mother of King

Ahmose I, and cheered for her son’s

victory over the Hyksos who occupied

Egypt for about 100 years.

King Ahmose I, the founder of the 18th

dynasty, expelled the Hyksos only five

years after he ruled Egypt in 1550 BC at

the age of 16. The story goes that when-

ever the people saw Queen Eyaha,

whose name meant “moon,” they would

sing “Wahawy, Eyaha,” meaning

“Welcome, Ehaya.”

Ever since, Egyptians have used the

same song to celebrate different occa-

sions. As the Islamic hijri calendar follows

the lunar system, Egyptians living in the

Fatimid era, from AD 969 to 1171, started

to celebrate the beginning of the holy

mont h of Ramadan by singing

“Wahawy, Eyaha” — a tradition that has

continued today.

MELIA SHARM NEWSLETTER PAGE 4

Congratulations for our

Colleagues, wishing them

happy life

Ahmed Bakry

Front Office

Ashraf Fawzy

F&B Service

OCTOBER 2013

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In This Issue

1 GM Welcome Message

2 How Melia Hotels International

Recognizes Orphans

3 Melia Hotels Code of Ethics

4 Passion of Service

5 Employee of the month

6 News from HR

7 Birthdays and Anniversaries

August 2013 - Issue no. 2

General Manager Welcome Message

Melia Sharm Newsletter

Once again, welcome to the second issue of Melia

Sharm Newsletter, we continue to move forward

with the Holy Month of Ramadan.

I hope that everyone will have a wonderful Rama-

dan and Eid.

To celebrate these occasions, Melia Sharm was

proud to host our annual General

Assembly Sohour which

was held at the spicy Restaurant on July 22nd, 2013,

(13 Ramadan) in the presence of Mr. Sherief A.

Abouelmagd, Director of Operation for Melia Hotels

International Egypt/Tunisia.

Mr. Sherief wished all of us love, peace and happy Ramadan.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who joined our

event. It was successfully attended by more than 300 employees include

ing our colleagues from Melia Sinai.

Following the seasons of celebration, I hope that you find our 2nd issue of

Melia Sharm Newsletter enlightening and informative and will give you

visibility on commitment and drive towards developing a sustainable

gateway to our resort and beyond.

As Ramadan end, I wish you and your families prosperity, happiness,

Eternal, peace, blessed Ramadan and Eid Mubarak.

Ahmed El Gharib

General Manager

Director of F&B and Executive Chef

with Staff team

Mr. Sherief Abouelmagd, Mr. Ahmed El

Gharib, Mr. Bassem El Hadidi, Chef Issam Kouhkouh and Chef Alaa Al Ashkar With

Melia Sharm staff

Pictures from the General

Assembly Sohour, held on 22

July at the Spicy Resturant,

Melia Sharm and Melia Sinai

staff

The Orphan's Day celebration aims to relieve part of the stress and

sufferings faced by the orphans as well as introduce a happy event in

their young lives, which they would not forget. Sol Melia hotels (Sol Sharm, Sol Cyrene, Melia Sharm & Melia Sinai)did not

want the Orphans’ day to pass unrecognized. Thus, during the month of

May the hotel celebrate the Orphans’ Day with a group of young

orphans. The event took place at “Sol Cyrene” hotel , a rare treat where

children can freely express themselves and have enjoyable times.

During that day, children were given the freedom enjoy the shows pre

sented , having meals with resorts staff & management. The children had

the opportunity to play & eat together . At the end of the day, the chil dren were very happy to receive presents. The whole day brought joy

and happiness to the children.

How Melia Hotels Int. recognizes Orphans

The MHI Code of Ethics

As Meliá Hotels International employees, we represent the company

in our daily work and we have a duty to behave with integrity and

apply our values. Our behavior with any stakeholder, and especially

with our fellow employees, has a direct impact on the good name of

our company and on all of us.

So, our commitments to our employees are:

Defend and protect the company’s reputa-

tion, aware of our responsibility as employ-

ees and as ambassadors of its brands and

values.

Observe ve the duty of professional loyalty in

our daily behavior, giving special attention to the correct use of

internal information.

Take advantage of opportunities for development and

training the company offers us.

Ensure the proper and careful use of the company’s property

and assets, whether physical, financial, technological or related

to intellectual capital, aiming to ensure that none is wasted,

squandered, damaged or lost.

Manage properly and carefully any internal information that it is

provided to us for our work, especially when it is of a sensitive,

strategic or confidential nature.

Be respectful towards our colleagues, avoiding any type of

abuse of power in our relation- ships, conduct or language.

Avoid any form of favoritism based on family

or personal relationships.

Not tolerate or promote discrimination based on race, color,

sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, age,

religion, gender, disability, rank or any other.

Turn down any parallel professional activity that could interfere

in the performance of our obligations with the company.

Abstain from taking decisions in which we have a personal

conflict of interest that could affect impartiality.

Not use information that we manage in the company

to benefit our own interests.

Not to turn up to work under the influence of toxic substances

and/or alcohol nor consume such substances during our work-

ing hours.

Turn down gifts or other attentions from third parties if they

clearly exceed the reasonable value of mere courtesy. As a

guide we have defined a limit of 100 dollars. If this is exceeded

or if there is any doubt, contact the nearest human resources

department in writing.

Ensure the accuracy of information provided.

MELIA SHARM NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

The Passion for Service is

executed everyday by

every member of our team.

It is the Meliá service

culture and describes the

behaviors we expect from

ourselves and each other, regardless of our

position or title, or whether we are connect-

ing with a guest or fellow team members.

Our guests sense our passionate attitude

when they:

Feel welcome right from the start notic-

ing that we are glad to have them

among us.

Perceive that we have been able to

connect with them and helped ensure

their visit was a success.

Are surprised with the special details we

provided to create timeless memories.

Our guests are people (just like us) with

needs and desires to achieve success

and create memories.

To really demonstrate The Passion for

Service requires dedication and on-

going training.

Our passion is driven by the love of what

we do and our ability to share that love

with our guests and each other. Melia 10 Passion for service:

1– Style

2– Proactive Anticipation

3– Greeting 4– Appreciation

5– Understanding

6– Knowledge

7– Empowerment

8– Sales

9– Teamwork

10– Exceeding Expectations

The Passion for Service

To be Continued

Next Issue

Employee of the month In the presence of Melia Sharm Managers and Directors,

Mr. Ahmed El Gharib - General Manager - introduced the winners

of the month for outstanding dedication and work performance levels.

El Sayed Shehata A. Qader from Kitchen

Supervisor of the Month June 2013

News from Human Resources

Ramadan Football Season and the

Workplace:, How Human Resources

Can Make the Most of It!!! Ramadan, it’s barely a unique month in the year

and professional football seasons, football sea-son can be an opportunity to build a more per-

sonal, engaging workplace - really.

Managing fantasy teams, discussing the Ramadan games, even

debating the upcoming Ramadan contests are all opportunities for

Human Resources to enable the employees to connect and form

bonds, enrich relationships, foster trust and deepen engagement. How?

Considering Workplace Football activities as “losses” is a missed

opportunity.

Today’s employees are spending more time in the workplace, and

when they’re not at workplace, they’re taking their jobs home with them.

Smart organizations through the Human Resources Department give

their staff leeway to pursue some personal interests at the work-

place. And smarter Human Resources are proactively using events

such as Ramadan Football season to increase engagement and

enhance communications among all of their employees. Human Resources Department at Melia Sharm succeeded in creat-

ing more engaged work environment while still remaining work-

appropriate, during Ramadan.

Daily after Iftar, fantasy football made into a

fun, competitive team activity, which en-

abled boost teamwork and improve mo-rale. By opening up and connecting with

department’s team over a common interest

like sports, Human Resources was able to

build their trust and was to better relate to

employees and colleagues.

These activities allow employees to get to know each other outside of the workplace

and connect over a shared interest. Foster-

ing strong friendships among employees and Melia Sharm is a

proven indicator of higher retention.

HR and Engineering Football Team

Accounting & FB Bars Football Team

FO & HK Football Team

Ahmed Bakry

Front Office

Mohamed Ibrahim

Kitchen

Ahmed Mohamed

Housekeeping

Ahmed Attia

Engineering

MELIA SHARM NEWSLETTER PAGE 3